Comedy legend Ken Dodd has died aged 90, his publicist has announced.
The star, famous for his epic stand-up shows, as well as tickling stick, died just days after leaving hospital.
He married Anne Jones, his partner of 40 years, on Friday at their home in the Liverpool suburb of Knotty Ash, which was also the one he was born in.
His publicist Robert Holmes told the Press Association: “To my mind, he was one of the last music hall greats.
“He passed away in the home that he was born in over 90 years ago.
“He’s never lived anywhere else. It’s absolutely amazing.
“With Ken gone, the lights have been turned out in the world of variety.
“He was a comedy legend and genius.”
He added: “He asked Anne if she wanted to marry. They got the registrar and were married in the house on Friday.
“He died two days later on Mother’s Day. Anne is obviously very upset. They had been together for 40 years.
“It’s a love story to beat them all.”
Dodd spent more than six weeks in the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital earlier this year, following a chest infection, leaving at the end of February.
Dodd began a career as a comedian in 1954, working in music halls, and achieved national fame and popularity by the 60s.
His recording of Tears, was the UK’s third-best-selling single back then, rivaling The Beatles, and he made it into the Guinness Book of Records for telling 1,500 jokes in three and a half hours.
Ken was a regular face on television throughout the 70s and 80s and became an OBE in 1982.He received his knighthood in the New Year Honours in 2017.
Among his many jokes he will be remembered for his fluffy ‘tickling sticks’ and his catchphrase, ”How tickled I am!”
Tribute poured in for the funnyman, with one fan calling him “an honest” and “hardworking” man.
Ah, Ken Dodd has died. So happy I got to meet him once, and more importantly, saw him do one of his incredible 5 hour shows. He was an education to watch and, afterwards, at 1.30 am, he had beers with me in the dressing room and talked showbiz. A privilege, and a loss. RIP.
With the death of Ken Dodd, many theatre staff will not merely be mourning the loss of a comedy Legend, but also the loss of all that overtime. He may have short changed the inland revenue, but never the audience.
We’ve lost a one off today, we’ll never see anybody else like Ken Dodd. This was a man who couldn’t slow down or contemplate retirement, he was born to perform and it was an honour to have known him and work with him. Tatty bye Doddy.
Oh dear, what a thing to wake up to. The brilliant Sir Ken Dodd has gone. What a career. He was the last man standing. Was a very proud moment when he mentioned my name once.
An honest, hardworking, genuinely funny Scouser.
We won’t see his likes again
RIP Ken Dodd
